Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, has provided clarity on the ongoing strike that started last week, expressing her continued commitment to negotiating a solution that benefits the people of Kono District.

The First Lady revealed that the negotiations with Koidu Limited, the mining company involved, began as early as September of last year and continued into November. Despite several discussions, she noted, only one concern was addressed by the company the provision of rice bags to the local people. However, issues such as wage increases and improving the work environment remain unaddressed.

Fatima Bio explained, “I have presented the concerns of the people at least five times to Koidu Holdings’ senior management, from the Managing Director down to other key members present in Sierra Leone. We’ve sat together and discussed the issues, but only one concern was addressed.” She added that while the rice provision was a step in the right direction, the workers’ demands for better wages and a safer, more comfortable working environment had not been met.

Regarding the ongoing strike, which was initiated peacefully by the workers, she pointed out, “We didn’t start a strike to cause any harm. The strike was a sitting-down strike, and we made sure it was peaceful. Nobody had to go to Koidu Limited or cause any disturbances. We stayed away until they listened to our plea.” She also made it clear that the workers would not return to work until the issues were resolved in a way that both parties could agree on.

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The First Lady explained her decision to stay off social media during the negotiation process, saying, “I decided not to use social media to allow the process to flow. This isn’t about me; it’s about the people of Kono District.” However, she warned that if Koidu Holdings continued to undermine the process through press releases, she would not hesitate to share her knowledge of the situation on social media, ensuring that the voices of the affected workers were heard.

Addressing the company’s communications, she urged Koidu Holdings to stop undermining the negotiations, saying, “Stop putting out press releases on social media that don’t reflect the negotiation or anything we’re doing at the moment. If you continue, I’ll be on social media every day, narrating everything I know about Koidu Holdings.”

Fatima Bio also took issue with Koidu Holdings’ treatment of workers, saying, “Over 900 Sierra Leoneans have suffered under this company, and you refuse to give them basic amenities like toilets, clean drinking water, or even a proper hospital. When there’s an emergency or a death at the company, the only compensation they give is 10 million Leones and that’s if it’s an accident. If they don’t consider it an accident, they offer just 2 million Leones.”

In her comments, she reminded Koidu Holdings that the company’s contract, signed in 2013, did not absolve them from paying a 1% development fund to local people. “Government is continuity,” she said. “If the President of Sierra Leone has made a pronouncement, that’s a pronouncement you must honor.”

Fatima Bio also warned Koidu Holdings against threatening to fire workers or close the mine, adding, “If you close the mine, you’ll have only one choice: to leave, and our people will have the freedom they deserve.”

Concluding her statement, she trusted that Koidu Holdings would resolve the matter. “We gave the land to you because we trusted you, not because we want you to come and abuse our people,” she said. “If you continue to undermine the process, I will come every day and explain everything.”

The First Lady’s remarks made the call louder for Koidu Holdings to address the workers’ demands and resolve the ongoing strike in an amicable manner that ensures fairness and respect for the local community.